Removable liner system for headgear

ABSTRACT

A removable washable liner system for headgear. The system may be used to line headgear of different materials, sizes and/or geometries. An embodiment of the system generally includes a liner body with a base layer and a moisture layer that is attached to the inner surface thereof. A means for releasably securing may attach the liner body to a portion of headgear. In some embodiments, the system includes at least one deodorizing substance.

INVENTIVE FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a removable liner system for use with headgear. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liner system for use with headgear that releasably secures a liner to headgear which allows for the liner to be removed and either cleaned for reuse or replaced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE FIELD

While wearing many different types of headgear, individuals commonly perspire from their head and forehead while performing various activities. Perspiration is especially common while an individual engages in physical activity such as during the performance of an athletic activity, factory or other type of manual work, or when an individual is merely present in hot temperature conditions.

Typically, headgear may include a bill and/or crown portion that is integral with a sweatband portion. Common sweatbands may absorb perspiration and other moisture from an individual, thus reducing the possibility that the perspiration irritates an individual's eyes. Also, sweatbands may help cool an individual by retaining moisture.

A common sweatband, however, is not without problems. After a certain amount of use, which can be as little as a single use, perspiration or other moisture, such as rainwater, may soak into the sweatband allowing the sweatband to discolor and acquire a foul odor. In addition, the perspiration or other moisture may soak into the bill and/or crown portion of the headgear and cause discoloration in those portions of the headgear.

The commonly attempted solutions to those problems are less than ideal. For instance, some individuals remedy the discoloration and foul odor problems by discarding the headgear altogether. That solution is often not feasible because an individual has acquired a sentimental attachment to a particular headgear, the particular type or style of headgear is no longer available, or the cost associated with replacing a particular headgear is prohibitive. Another common effort to relieve the sweatband and headgear of discoloration and odor is to wash the headgear. However, washing the headgear may be detrimental for multiple reasons. Many different types of headgear are made of materials that are not readily washable. Certain types of headgear are cumbersome because of their size, shape or material composition such that washing them with readily available equipment is difficult or destructive to the equipment. In addition, washing certain types of headgear may disfigure the headgear during the wash process, rendering it useless. Also, the wash process itself may alter the color of some headgear to an undesired color. In addition, washing headgear in a manner that does not damage the headgear may be time consuming and expensive.

Given the problems that exist with eliminating sweatband and headgear discoloration and odor caused by perspiration, a headgear that incorporates a liner system that minimizes the time and cost required to maintain the desired appearance of headgear would be advantageous. Furthermore, providing a headgear liner system that provides an efficient, inexpensive means to maintain a headgear as odor free as possible is also desirable.

Consequently, there is a need for a liner system that reduces the possibility of headgear becoming discolored or developing an odor, and which provides a simple, efficient and inexpensive method of removing any discoloration or odor that may develop in a sweatband caused by perspiration and other moisture. Preferably, such a liner system may also be designed for use with headgear or different materials, geometries and/or sizes. In addition, a liner system that is simple in design, lightweight, and easy to transport and adjust would also be preferable. An exemplary embodiment of a liner system of the present invention may satisfy some or all of these needs or preferences.

SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL INVENTIVE CONCEPT

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a removable liner system for headgear. Certain embodiments of the liner system may be used to line headgear of different materials, geometries and/or sizes. An embodiment of the liner system generally includes a liner body with a base layer and a moisture layer that is attached to the inner surface of the base layer. Typically, a padding layer is juxtaposed between the inner surface of the base layer and the outer surface of the moisture layer. A means for releasably securing the liner body may be attached to the outer surface of the base layer. In some embodiments, the system includes at least one deodorizing substance. Some exemplary embodiments include a liner body that is designed to be releasably secured to at least the sweatband portion of headgear. The sweatband portion is any portion of headgear that comes in direct contact with an individual's head while the individual uses the headgear. In traditional baseball caps, the sweatband portion runs along the base of the base of the crown and/or bill of the baseball cap. In some exemplary embodiments, the system may be integral with different forms of headgear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a removable liner system for headgear of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 with the liner body removed from the headgear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 depicts one exemplary embodiment of a removable liner system for headgear of the present invention. As shown, this particular removable liner system 10 (hereinafter “system”) includes a liner body 100 that includes a base layer 102 with an inner and outer surface 102 a, 102 b. A moisture layer 104 that is adapted to absorb moisture may be attached to at least a portion of the inner surface 102 a of the base layer 102.

In this embodiment, the base layer 102 is substantially rectangular in shape to facilitate the attachment of the liner body 100 to at least a portion of the sweatband found on a common baseball cap. Preferably, but not necessarily, the base layer 102 is substantially the same height and length of the sweatband found in baseball caps to facilitate attachment of the liner body 100 with the sweatband. However, in other exemplary embodiments the base layer 102 may be any number of geometries and sizes, depending on the materials used to construct the liner body 100, and/or other design or operational factors.

The base layer 102 may be made of any number of materials, such as, for example, plastics, fiberglass or metals. Preferably, the base layer 102 has sufficient strength and durability to permit habitual use of the system 10. Additionally, for increased comfort, it may be preferred that the material used in the base layer 102 is flexible to facilitate proper fit of the liner body 100 around an individual's head. In some exemplary embodiments, the material of the base layer 102 may help prevent the headgear from being stained by absorbing the perspiration or other moisture from an individual.

As seen in FIG. 1, the moisture layer 104 may be attached to nearly the entire inner surface 102 a of the base layer 102. However, in other embodiments, the moisture layer 104 may cover only a portion of the inner surface 102 a of the base layer 102. Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the moisture layer 104 may completely encase the base layer 102. For example, the moisture layer 104 may consist of multiple portions of material with gaps or voids in between the portions that may allow for increased flexibility of the moisture layer 104, and in turn, potentially increasing the comfort for an individual. Additionally, the gaps or voids in between the portions of the moisture layer 104 may provide for additional cooling of an individual's head by allowing air to pass through the moisture layer 104.

The moisture layer 104 may be attached to the base layer 102 by any number of attaching means, depending upon the materials used to construct the liner body 100 and/or other design or operational factors. For example, the moisture layer 104 may be attached by the following means, including, but not limited to: sewing, quilting, stitching, adhesives, hook and loop fastening material such as the product trademarked by the name Velcro, snap fasteners, zippers, etc. In some exemplary embodiments, the moisture layer 104 may wrap around the edges and engage a portion of the outer surface 102 b of the base layer 102 to help facilitate attachment thereto.

Although one exemplary embodiment uses cotton for the moisture layer 104, other exemplary embodiments may be made of any number of materials that absorb moisture, such as, for example, polyethylene. A moisture layer 104 that is made of a material that helps wick away perspiration and other moisture from an individual's head during use is preferred. By wicking away perspiration and other moisture from the rest of the headgear, the moisture layer 104 may prevent or reduce the buildup of odor and/or stains on the rest of the headgear. Preferably, the moisture layer 104 has sufficient strength and durability to permit habitual use of the system 10. Additionally, for increased comfort, a preferred material used in the moisture layer 104 may be soft, comfortable, and flexible to facilitate proper fit of the liner body 100 around an individual's head.

As seen in FIG. 1, the padding layer 106 may be juxtaposed between the inner surface of the base layer 102 and the outer surface of the moisture layer 104. Preferably, but not necessarily, the padding layer 106 is juxtaposed along the entire body 100. However, in other embodiments, the padding layer 106 may be juxtaposed between the base layer 102 and the moisture layer 104 for only a portion of the body 100. For example, the padding layer 106 may consist of multiple portions of material with gaps or voids in between the portions that may allow for increased flexibility of the padding layer 106, and in turn, potentially increasing the comfort for an individual. Additionally, the gaps or voids in between the portions of the padding layer 106 may provide for additional cooling of an individual's head by allowing air to pass through the padding layer 106.

The padding layer 106 may be juxtaposed between the base layer 102 and the moisture layer 104 by any number of means, depending upon the materials used to construct the liner body 100 and/or other design or operational factors, as aforementioned in attaching the moisture layer 104.

Although one exemplary embodiment uses cotton for the padding layer 106, other exemplary embodiments may be made of any number of materials that provide comfort to an individual during use, such as, for example, polyethylene. A padding layer 106 that is made of a material that helps wick away perspiration and other moisture from an individual's head during use is preferable. By wicking away perspiration and other moisture from the rest of the headgear, the padding layer 106 may prevent or reduce the buildup of odor and/or stains on the rest of the headgear. Preferably, the padding layer 106 has sufficient strength and durability to permit habitual use of the system 10. Additionally, for increased comfort, the preferred material used in the padding layer 106 is soft, comfortable, and flexible to facilitate proper fit of the liner body 100 around an individual's head.

The liner body 100 is attached to the sweatband by a means 108 for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear. In this particular embodiment, the means 108 for releasably securing is a hook and loop system. The hook and loop system may include a material such as that trademarked under the name Velcro. In this particular embodiment, the hook material is affixed to the sweatband of a common baseball cap, while the corresponding loop material is affixed to the outer surface 102 b of the base layer 102. However, in other embodiments using hook and loop materials, the hook material and loop materials may be attached in multiple different arrangements, wherein both hook and loop materials may be attached to either the headgear and/or the liner body 100.

The hook and/or loop materials of the hook and loop system may be attached to the sweatband or other portions of headgear by multiple means for securing, including, but not limited to: adhesives, stitching, etc. In some exemplary embodiments of the system, the hook and loop system may be integral with the headgear. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this particular embodiment, there are multiple portions of hook material attached to the sweatband of a common baseball cap at substantially equidistant integrals. However, in other embodiments, the hook and/or loop materials may be attached to all of the sweatband or portions of the sweatband using a single portion or multiple portions of hoop and/or loop materials.

In another exemplary embodiment, the means 108 for releasably securing may include, but is not limited to: snap fasteners, buttons with corresponding receiving slots, zippers, and adhesives. Preferably, but not necessarily, the means 108 for releasably securing may have gaps in between components that allow air to pass through and help facilitate the cooling of an individual's head while wearing headgear.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate how the length of the liner body 100 may be adjusted in this particular embodiment. As shown, this particular liner body 100 is adjustable in length by a band element 110 that releasably retains the length of the liner body 100 by frictional force between the band element 110 and a portion of the liner body 100. The frictional force between the band element 110 and the portion of the liner body 100 is sufficient to releasably retain the liner body at a desired length during the use of the headgear. The band element 110 may be of varying size and geometry, depending upon the characteristics desired.

In another example, the liner body 100 may use a buckle element 110 that releasably fixes the length of the liner body 100 by engaging holes provided in the liner body 100 to fix the length of the liner body 100 at predetermined settings. One skilled in the art would realize that there are a multitude of other ways to fix the length of such a liner body, and all are contemplated by the present invention.

While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims: 

1. A removable headgear liner system, comprising: a liner body that comprises: a base layer with an inner and outer surface; a moisture layer that absorbs moisture, attached to at least a portion of the inner surface of the base layer; a padding layer juxtaposed between the base layer and the moisture layer; and a means for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear, attached to the outer surface of the base layer.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the liner body is adjustable in length.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the liner body further comprises a band element that releasably retains the length of the liner body by frictional force.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one deodorizing substance applied to at least a portion of the liner body.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear is a hook and loop system.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for securing is noncontiguous with more than one portion.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the moisture layer is cotton.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the liner body is substantially rectangular.
 9. A removable headgear liner system, comprising: an adjustable length liner body that comprises: a base layer with an inner and outer surface; a moisture layer that absorbs moisture, attached to at least a portion of the inner surface of the base layer; a padding layer juxtaposed between the base layer and the moisture layer; and a means for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear, attached to the outer surface of the base layer.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the liner body further comprises a band element that releasably retains the length of the liner body by frictional force.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one deodorizing substance applied to at least a portion of the liner body.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear is a hook and loop system.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for securing is noncontiguous with more than one portion.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the moisture layer is cotton.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the liner body is substantially rectangular.
 16. A removable headgear liner system in combination with a headgear, the headgear comprising a crown having a sweatband adapted to engage the head of an individual, the liner system comprising: an adjustable length liner body that comprises: a base layer with an inner and outer surface; a moisture layer that absorbs moisture, attached to at least a portion of the inner surface of the base layer; a padding layer juxtaposed between the base layer and the moisture layer; and a means for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear, attached to the outer surface of the base layer.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the liner body further comprises a band element that releasably retains the length of the liner body by frictional force.
 18. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one deodorizing substance applied to at least a portion of the liner body.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for releasably securing the liner body to the headgear is a hook and loop system that is noncontiguous with more than one portion.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the liner body is substantially rectangular to engage the sweatband. 